Handbag latch



Ost, 24, 1939 B. wAcHs ET AL HANDBAG LATCH Filed May 5, 1958 INVENTOR.

Patented Oct. 24, 1939 UNITED `15M"ENTI OFFICE This invention relates to a fastener for ladies handbags :and vcomprehends an improved latch means which is particularly designed for releaseably retaining the flap of an envelope-type handbag in closed relation against accidental or unintentional release.

The invention comprehends an improved handbag latch which is so constructed and arranged as to provide an effective means for fastening the bag iiap in closed condition while minimizing the over-all thickness of the latch structure and the extent of movement of the spring which detains the latching plate in its several positions.

The invention is also directed to an improved meansfor anchoring the base plate of the latch structure to the handbag body so as to present a neat and attractive appearance and afford an effective and lasting connection of the same therewith.

With these and other objects in view, the invention is disclosed in greater detail in the following specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a ladys handbag of the envelope type equipped with the improved latch means constructed in accordance with the invention and illustrating the ap in closed latched relation.

Fig. 2 is a rear perspective view on an enlarged scale of the latch means. y

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken approximately on the line 3-3 ofFig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view through the base plate of a latch illustrating a modied construction.

Referring to the drawing by characters of refv erence, A designates the body of an envelopetype ladys handbag and B the flap which is constructed with an aperture C adapted to cooperate with the latch means which is designated generally by the reference character D.

The latch D includes a base plate IU which is provided at its lower end edge with a pair of spaced angularly disposed forwardly directed pintle rolls II which are preferably formed integral therewith and provide axially aligned bearing openings for receiving a hinge pintle I2. A latch plate I3 approximating the size of the base plate I0 is provided which is formed with a rearwardly directed lug I4 having angularly disposed facets I5 and I6. The lug I4 is arranged between the pintle rolls I I and is apertured to receive the hinge lpintle I2 which extends therethrough wherebythe'latching plate is connected with the base plate for swinging movement with reference thereto.

The base plate is adapted to be anchored to the body of the handbag and, as illustrated, this is accomplished by means of an anchoring plate I1 which is of a size approximating that of the base plate and arranged in flat contact with the rear surface thereof. The anchoring plate I1 is provided with a plurality of anchoring prongs I8 which are struck up from the anchoring plate and directed rearwardly therefrom, the prongs being so arranged that their junctures with the anchoring plate are disposed in spaced relation to the marginal edges thereof so that the prongs and the openings in the bag body where the prongs enter the same will be covered and concealed. In order to conceal the anchoring plate and present a neat and attractive appearance, the side edges of the base plate I0 and the end edges opposite to that provided by the pintle rolls are formed with rearwardly directed marxginal flanges I9 which frame the anchoring plate A leaf spring 20 is disposed in vrear of the base plate and in rear of the anchoring plate II and is secured to the base plate by one or more rivets 2I which extends through the leaf spring, the anchoring plate and the base plate to constitute a common means for fastening these elements together. The leaf spring is provided with a forwardly directed terminal 22 and an angularly disposed extremity 23 which extremity is normally urged into fiat contact by the inherent resiliency of the leaf spring with either facet I5 or I6 of the lug I3 which is presented thereto depending upon whether the latching plate I3 is in the closed position shown in full lines in Fig. 3 or in the open position shown in broken lines. It will be apparent that the leaf spring Will serve to detain the latching plate in either of said positions and will tension the latch plate against swinging movement from one position to another. The base plate is further provided with a forwardly protruding stud 24 which is adapted to protrude through the aperture C in the iiap B when the same is in its closed relation and the rear surface of the latch plate is adapted to abut thereaga'mst when said latch plate is disposed parallel to the base plate as shown in full lines in Fig. 3.

In the modified form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawing, the construction is identical with the form shown in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, with the exception that in this instance the margnal flanges 19A of the base plate IOA are made of a suicient length to provide terminal edges |9B which extend over the rear surface of plate with a recess intermediate the pintle rolls and having rearwardly directed marginal ilange's at the remaining end and side edges, a latchlp'l'a'te having a rearwardly directed squared lug received between the pintle rolls and having a longitudinal" aperture through said lug aligned with the openings of the pintle rolls, a hinge'. pintle'fextending through said aligned apertures of the pintle rolls and the lug and connecting said latch plate with the 'base plate fory swingin'gmove'rnerrtjwith refi-v erence theretdan anchoring platenirrflat contact@ with the rear surface of the bas'eplate located Within the marginal flanges thereof and provided with a recess registering with the recess intermediate the pintle rolls of said base plate, integral anchoring prongs struck up from the side edges of the anchoring plate and bent angularly to extend rearwardly from said anchoring plate and well inward from the side edges of the base plate and the rolled side flanges thereof, a leaf springz ttedat one end against the rear face of said anchoring plate and provided at its remaining, end with an offset face projecting forwardly through the aligned recesses of the anchoring platefand the base plate with the offset face of the spring thuspresented to engage thev faces of the squared lug of thev latch plate, and a common ,means -for fastening the anchoring plate `upon the base platesland connecting the end of the leaf spring against said anchoring plate.

BENJAMIN WACHS. f .DAVID H. COLIN. 

